christopher Harper, Author at DJ Products

Amazon’s Robotic Warehouses Are Shifting the Warehousing Industry to Focus on Robots to Stay Competitive

Robots Are Coming to Warehouses to Improve Efficiency

When Amazon acquired the leading warehouse robotics company, Kiva Systems, in 2012, some feared that the e-commerce giant would monopolize the technology. Instead, we’ve seen a boom of competition for robotics innovation.

Fortunately, fears of lost jobs due to automation have also been tempered. Warehouse equipment, whether it’s a robot or powered tug, can serve to reduce physical injuries and stress for warehouse workers.

From third-party logistics to robotic picking and transporting, warehouse automation continues to evolve and diversify thanks to the healthy competition from robotics firms.

How Warehousing Itself Has Changed

In many ways, it’s not just Amazon but rather the rise of e-commerce itself that has changed warehousing. Instead of loading shipments for brick-and-mortar stores, warehouses are more often packing individual shipments for customers.

For the human workers, picking countless items comes with a heavy physical toll. Repetitive stress injuries, back and neck injuries, and pure exhaustion have long been par for the course. With a powered tug to transport items, or even a robotic picker to locate items for a human to grab, the work becomes less demanding and more manageable.

Protect and Empower Human Workers

Today’s robotics and automated warehouse equipment are not replacing all the humans. The technology can actually make people’s jobs better. As Rick Faulk of Locus recently told reporters, “Now it’s about humans and robots working collaboratively.”

Is your company doing enough to stay competitive and keep up with warehousing technology? Simple and effective steps like removing a time-consuming physical task can easily translate into huge efficiency gains. Consider what our powered tug and cart puller equipment can do for your warehouse.

Technology and Trash Removal: Making Dumpsters “Smart”

Check It Out! Technology is Making Dumpster “Smart”

Today’s technology has given us smart phones, smart appliances and … smart dumpsters? Here’s how one forward-thinking company developed an ingenious solution to “garbage watching.”

Trash Removal in the Digital Age

In 1991, long before the Internet of Things was on anyone’s radar, OnePlus Systems saw technology as an answer to the problem of smelly, overflowing dumpsters. Their first model was a rudimentary wired pressure sensor that alerted a client’s operations department as well as their waste removal company that a pick-up was needed.

The next step included integration of a web-based platform to provide reporting and leverage waste data. In 2015, private equity company Parker Gale recognized the system’s potential and purchased OnePlus along with SmartBin, a Dublin, Ireland-based manufacturer of intelligent waste disposal solutions.

Under Parker Gale’s direction, the original system began using SmartBin’s wireless ultrasonic fill-level sensors and robust routing and analysis software. Thanks to these “smart” devices and their sophisticated platform, clients receive real-time data and visual tracking of non-compacting dumpsters.

Benefits of Smart Dumpsters

• Waste removal companies get optimized routing so they can focus the workload on full containers.

• Collected data shows that a smart dumpster can reduce waste removal expenses by up to 50 percent.

• Clients can allocate labor to higher priority jobs.

Reduce Expenses and Workplace Injuries with a Dumpster Puller from DJ Products

Are your employees constantly struggling with maneuvering heavy dumpsters in the workplace? Our best-selling WasteCaddyLite is designed to safely transport full dumpsters weighing up to 2,000 pounds.

Call 800.686.2651 or visit our website to find out which battery-powered dumpster puller is the best solution for your workplace.

Highlighting the DJ Products Shopping Cart Retriever

The Shopping Cart Caddy

With their tendency to drift off in unpredictable directions, gathering shopping carts can be like herding cats. Make this difficult task easier and more efficient with a battery-powered shopping cart pusher from DJ Products.

Who Wants to Chase Shopping Carts?

Right now, gathering shopping carts at your business is a completely manual operation. Hourly employees take time out from other duties to chase carts around the parking lot and maneuver an increasingly awkward chain.

Pushing and pulling are frequent causes of workplace injuries, making this a particularly risky job. Add the inconvenience of bad weather and retrieving shopping carts becomes a thankless job for any employee.

A Simple Solution to a Tough Problem

Our shopping cart pusher lets a single employee of any age, size and gender move up to 50 shopping carts at one time. Once the pusher is attached to the back of the line of carts, the employee stands in front to guide the line and uses a remote control to activate the pusher.

In addition to making your employees’ job easier and safer, our shopping cart pusher has other money-saving benefits.

Car dings from loose carts are a huge pet peeve for shoppers, so a lot full of stray carts can be a deterrent to business.
Carts left out in the parking lot can often tempt people to take them for their own use.

Money- and Labor-Saving Solutions from DJ Products

Our shopping cart pusher is the perfect solution to a long-standing problem. Visit our website and use our handy chat feature to learn more about our full line of electric pushers, pullers and tugs.

Hospital Administrators Face Cyber Data Threats

Hospital Administrators Focus on Cyber Security Improvements for Data and Staff

As the potential pitfalls of cyber security have evolved over the years, hospital administrators have more to worry about than ever. In addition to the protection of highly sensitive medical data, hospitals also face a constant threat of data ransom and even weaponized WiFi-enabled devices.

What your hospital does now to add protections and educate employees could make the difference when a cyber attack does eventually happen.

HealthcareDive runs down the top four data threats in hospitals:

• Negligence ranging from unencrypted data to employees using shared passwords

• Internal threats including intentional harm and accidental loss of personal devices

• Internet of Things vulnerabilities, with Internet-enabled medical devices becoming a target for hackers and DDoS attacks

• Ransomware attacks wherein hackers seize control of a network and demand payment

What Can Hospitals Do to Improve Cyber Security?

IT experts and healthcare experts must look to technology to play a strong defense, while also teaching good practices to employees at all levels.

• Always use data encryption

• Establish an employee protocol for bring-your-own devices

• Practice good password hygiene with frequent changes

• Self-audit to prevent internal fraud and inappropriate access

• Vet medical devices and equipment for hacking protection

Handling Hospital Materials the Right Way

Everything hospital staff do can impact your bottom line. A hospital equipment cart mover lets nurses and janitors stay productive and efficient, with less strain and injury risk. Run a tight ship when it comes to daily tasks like material movement, and management can spend more time overseeing the strategic decisions instead.

Follow our blog for healthcare news, and read about the hospital equipment cart mover for boosting efficiency and reducing injury claims.

If You Need To Move Live Baby Chicks, We’re Your Guys!

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Traditionally what happens on the road, stays on the road. But this load was too cute to keep quiet about.

Neill Trucking had a recurring need to move thousands of live baby chicks “packaged” in crates of plastic totes.

You can’t manhandle this kind of merchandise.

But they didn’t have time to coddle each crate either. Stacking the totes on a dolly seemed like a reasonable solution, but there was a high risk the precious cargo would tip over.

ChickenCaddy to the rescue!

We built up tall sides on a 4-swivel dolly push pad and told them they could “chain” the dollies together and move all the baby chicks at once, but: They’d need two people: one to push the ChickenCaddy “caboose” and another in front to steer the chick “train.”

Worked like a charm and we made another happy customer. Whether you need to move live baby chicks, airplanes, or dumpsters from Point A to Point B, we apply purpose-built engineering and creative problem solving to move your cargo safely and efficiently.

Prevent Dumpster Hazards With Our Tips

Dumpster Safety Tips Include Using a Dumpster Mover.

The expression “dumpster fire” often gets thrown around as a humorous metaphor, but a real dumpster fire is no joke. Lives can be lost and buildings burnt to rubble when a dumpster catches fire and acts like an enormous torch.

Besides fire hazards, dumpsters can also lead to muscle injuries for workers, slip-and-fall accidents, and general health hazards from fumes or chemicals.

Here are 5 tips to eliminate most sources of dumpster hazards:

Post signs and educate workers about hazardous waste. Learn what substances that are present on site may be combustible, toxic, or corrosive. Let employees and tenants know what items cannot be placed in the dumpster, and post dumpster warning signs.
Never transport dumpsters manually. Dumpsters can easily tip over when being moved, lifted, or tilted. The weight may not be distributed evenly inside the dumpster. Use motorized dumpster tugs to push the container smoothly, especially on rough or inclined ground.
Keep dumpsters locked or inaccessible when possible. Trespassers or unauthorized people may deposit hazardous waste intentionally or otherwise. Dumpster divers may leave broken glass, sharp metal, or other hazards on the ground.
Prohibit smoking near dumpsters. Cigarette butts, lighter fluid, and other combustible substances are often the cause of dumpster fires.
Empty dumpsters regularly. Overfilled dumpsters create spill and tripping hazards. The extra weight also makes it more dangerous to maneuver. Use automated equipment like dumpster tugs and self-emptying systems, and stick to a frequent removal schedule.

Do you have team members who need to tow a dumpster manually? Take care of this big injury concern with battery-powered dumpster tugs that are easy to control!

Warehouse Picking Robots Enter the Market

Warehouse Efficiency Experts Are Looking to Automation

Order picking is a mundane but necessary part of supply chain operations. A forward-thinking startup robotics company is working to perfect an automated system that could revolutionize fulfillment centers in the near future.

Robots to the Rescue

In early April, Massachusetts-based RightHand Robotics introduced their RightPick platform at a supply chain event. The innovative system is aimed at improving order fulfillment in the pharmaceutical, electronics, grocery and apparel industries.

RightHand is not the first company to envision robotics as a solution for more efficient order fulfillment. The drawback was getting a robot’s mechanical “hand” to make adjustments for different sizes and types of items, but the Harvard-trained team that launched RightHand believe they have found the answer in the cloud.

How Do You “Teach” a Robot?

Current prototypes use a robotic hand with compliant “fingers” and a suction cup at the center. As the robot spends time picking random objects from a conveyor belt, data is transmitted from a camera inside its hand up to the cloud, where the information can be used to “train” other robots.

Professor Ken Goldberg of UC Berkeley, an expert on robot manipulation and learning, expressed admiration for the “clever mechanism” that RightPick has applied to the concept of robotic order-picking. For companies such as Amazon that ship a myriad of products in all shapes and sizes, RightHand could be a game-changer.

Streamline Warehouse Operations with an Industrial Tug from DJ Products

Even the most cumbersome products and equipment can be moved easily and safely with an industrial tug like our popular CartCaddyShorty. Visit our website for more information.

Military Spying Aircraft Market Targeted by Boeing

Department of Defense Contractors Use Our Equipment Solutions

By their own estimation, Boeing faces a serious test of whether their militarized 737 airliners are the future for the U.S. Air Force. Next up on the Pentagon’s decision block will be new planes for the JSTARS surveillance fleet, which has been running on Boeing 707s for decades.

This fall, when military leaders choose between the 737 or smaller business jets instead, it’s largely a question of short-term versus long-term outlooks.

About the Boeing 737 for Military Use

Use of the Boeing 737 by militaries is not new. Nearly 200 have already been purchased by the U.S. and other countries for various applications. This time, the notable difference is that the 737 is larger than what the JSTARS spying program may even need.

Boeing believes that the larger 737 offers great value for two key reasons. The extra room for growth can accommodate changing needs, and the higher immediate cost may well be offset by cheaper maintenance.

Business Jets or Commercial Airliners?

With many other aircraft fleets up for replacement soon, Boeing hopes the 737 will become the recurring preference.

The more glamorous business jets cost only half as much as the 737, whose higher maintenance costs may scuttle the deal. That would not be surprising, as lower immediate costs often seal the deal for military decisions.

Is bigger better when it comes to spying aircraft? One thing we know for certain: military and aviation professionals need the right tool for every job. Our aircraft tug helps tow small aircraft of all sizes for maneuvering in the hangar and staging on runways.

Check out the Lindbergh Aircraft Tug for more info.

Why Your Warehouse Management Needs to Embrace the Internet of Things

The Smart Warehouse via the IoT is Coming

The Internet of Things (IoT) has been described for years as an emerging technology, so when will using it become universally accepted? Nobody will hoist a banner announcing the official victory for the IoT. You wouldn’t delay purchasing a piece of automation equipment like warehouse tugs, so why wait to add innovative technology?

The technology and devices of the IoT are already here. Warehouses should go ahead and embrace it.

Benefits of Warehouse IoT

David Akka recently detailed for Magic Software why warehouse IoT should be embraced just like other recent technology such as mobile apps. Customer-facing apps serve the dual purpose of benefiting the user experience and increasing sales through engagement. Similarly, the IoT has benefits for customers and warehouse management:

Capitalize on Big Data analytics
Smart barcodes for shipping and receiving
Plan for “burst capacity” and short-term extra storage
Enable warehousing as a service for third parties
Propagate changes to sales, customer data, shipping statuses, etc.

Embracing New Technology in the Warehouse

Sometimes waiting to implement new technology can be wise, especially if your customers or clients are unfamiliar with it. However, people already use the IoT at home and work. Shift to IoT integration, and your warehouse staff and customers will be quick to leverage it for a better experience.

Ultimately, the IoT represents just another important step in the warehouse automation trend. Automated equipment like warehouse tugs for your staff and smart technology of the IoT for your devices can drastically reduce costs and stay ahead of the game.

Find out more about warehouse tugs and other warehouse materials handling equipment from DJ Products.

Dumpster or Compactor – The Pros and Cons

Before Making a Decision, It’s ALWAYS Important to Consider the Pros and Cons.

Proper trash room maintenance keeps your workplace clean and reduces the risk of injury. Is a dumpster or compactor best suited for your needs? Here’s a look at the pros and cons of each to help you choose the right solution for your application.

Dumpsters and Compactors: What’s the Difference

Dumpsters are large metal containers with volumes ranging from 10-yards to 30-yards. They are practical for a wide range of both household and commercial refuse and they are generally emptied by a trash hauling service that picks up every one to two weeks.
Trash compactors come in indoor and outdoor models. Thanks to the compressing action they can hold a greater volume of trash, but they’re not recommended for disposal of items such as oils, wood products, electronic items and toxic materials.

Which One Is Right for You?

If your business generates a lot of trash on a daily basis and your current garbage containers are being overfilled, a compactor is better for controlling the volume.
Dumpsters don’t seal tightly, which means they tend to attract rodents and other pests.
How does your trash removal service calculate charges? If it’s by the pickup, a compactor could save you a significant amount of money, but if it’s by the pound, it could be a more expensive option.

Put Safety First with the WasteCaddy from DJ Products

Now that you’ve selected the right container, make another choice for trash room safety. Our best-selling WasteCaddy can transport loaded dumpsters weighing up to 5,000 pounds, preventing the need for manual pushing and pulling.

Visit our website for more information.

Author: christopher Harper